It was only a year ago that trade shows were running scared of further restrictions being imposed - now heading into 2023, we have more turfcare events scheduled than ever.
Firstly today, I'd like to point you in the direction of a fantastic new video that has just been published, put together by the talented creative team at TAP.
Looking back at the recent Service Dealer Conference and Awards, it's a great reminder of what a fabulous day and wonderful evening the event truly was.
Opportunities to get together with peers and colleagues such as this hold such great value. I don't think any of us will underestimate these occasions again, following those two years of lockdowns and restrictions.
When I think back on 2020 and 2021 it seems unbelievable what we all went through - with being kept apart from family, friends, work colleagues and customers at the top of that list of unbelievable-ness!
And it's really not that long ago that we were in the midst of it all. I don't know about for you, but it seems to me like so much time has passed since we were all studying outbreak graphs and waiting for new proclamations of what we could and couldn't do.
However, I looked back on a blog I wrote this time last year and it was full of trepidation regarding what 2022 might hold. And it wasn't trepidation about an impending cost-of-living crisis. It was a genuine concern that more restrictions on movement were going to be imposed.
It wasn't just me being my usual worrying self thinking like this either. BTME had just announced a postponement of their show from the traditional January slot to a date in March. Major manufacturers were pulling out of LAMMA, which at that point hoped to still take place in January (as it was they moved to May). And the German Agritechnica exhibition shifted from their already re-arranged February position, back into their normal cycle (the next edition not taking place now till November 2023).
So at this point last December, the industry was still deeply concerned that times to mix, share knowledge, show off new products and to simply socialise, were at genuine risk of being curtailed once again. Looking back on those shows moving from January, I think many feared another full-on lockdown was imminent for the start of '22.
Of course, the country thankfully avoided that bullet - with our trade shows able to take place in their new, temporary slots. Whilst 2022 had many challenges for the sector, at least meeting up wasn't one of them.
Too far the other way?
Now however - to play devil's advocate for a second - there is a school of thought that perhaps the pendulum is due to swing too far the other way in 2023 in regards to trade shows. Certainly considering national shows for the turf machinery sector, there are currently four events on the calendar.
Taking them in chronological order throughout the year we have BTME, then SAGE, then GroundsFest and then SALTEX.
Is that too many? Is it in fact, three too many?
I know many dealers and manufacturers will have their views on that (which you can feel free to express below). But as with anything, I suppose the market will dictate what it wants.
When we spoke to some manufacturers the other week, it was interesting to hear several express a greater desire to spend their budgets on supporting their dealers when they appear at county shows - rather than to invest in national exhibitions. Perhaps smaller-scale, more local-customer focused events will gain an increased significance as we move forward?
How the national trade show scene plays out will be fascinating. This time next year, will we be looking forward to four turfcare events scheduled for 2024? And for 2025?
Who knows? But at least we can watch the situation develop together!
Showcasing the highlights from the 2022 Service Dealer Conference and Awards - keep watching the video for an exciting announcement regarding the location of next year's event.
A superb short film is now available to watch, showcasing the highlights from the 2022 Service Dealer Conference and Awards - featuring the sponsors, the speakers, the dealers and the winners.
Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "The Conference and Awards is a fantastic event that we are proud to host. Next year is going to be bigger and better and we can't wait to crack on with it."
Watch the video below or on our YouTube channel for all the highlights - plus keep watching for an exciting announcement regarding the location of next year's event.
In our WEB ONLY story John Deere agricultural dealer Ripon Farm Services is to acquire another dealer to offer professional turfcare machinery and servicing for the first time.
Held at the Merlo hq in Italy, the event recognised their top performing UK dealers across several categories.
Merlo UK welcomed their dealers to the 2022 Merlo UK Dealer Conference at the beginning of December, held at the company's global headquarters in Cuneo, Italy.
The attendees at conference
Titled 'Partners for Life' the two day event was geared to give Merlo UK dealer partners an insight into the significant investments being planned by the company to meet future global demand for their product range.
Attendees were also given a full tour of the onsite manufacturing and production facility, had an opportunity to drive and test a wide range of products and were shown new product developments to be launched in 2023.
The conference concluded with the Merlo UK 2022 Awards Dinner. Held in the 600 year old Castello Rosso castle the event recognised the manufacturer's UK’s top performing dealers across several categories.
L-R: Merlo UK’s Robin Cooch, Ramsay & Jackson’s Neil Ramsay, Merlo Group CEO Paolo Merlo
Following a devastating fire at their yard in April, the strength of character of the whole team at Ramsay & Jackson shone through as they continued to provide a first class parts service, despite operating in incredibly challenging circumstances. Add to that the company remain on course to achieve their 2022 forecast parts volumes is highly impressive.
L-R: Robin Cooch, Ancroft Tractors’ Tom Brown, Paolo Merlo
Ancroft Tractors has for many years provided a top quality, reliable service to their local customer base. A proactive approach to training ensures their technicians are equipped with the most up to date training and technology to provide an exemplary customer experience in any situation. With a ‘Service First’ approach Ancroft Tractors continues to offer their customers the very best in back-up and support.
Agriscope - Merlo Ambassador of the Year Award 2022
L-R: Paolo Merlo, Agriscope’s Richard Troop, Merlo UK’s Shaun Groom
Agriscope are the first recipient of the Merlo Ambassador of the Year Award for exemplification of the values of the brand in customer service, communication and brand representation. Consistently going above-and-beyond expectations, Agriscope have shown year on year growth in their parts business all whilst maintaining an excellent reputation for aftersales support & service.
L-R: Merlo UK’s Owen Buttle, RVW Pugh’s Emma Pugh, Paolo Merlo
RVW Pugh are celebrating their 25th Year with the Merlo franchise this year. Displaying a consistently robust performance for agricultural sales, RVW Pugh have firmly hit, and exceeded their 2022 objectives. Operating across a diverse farming area RVW Pugh have succeeded in selling a wide range of agricultural telescopic handlers to farms large and small.
L-R: Owen Buttle, Wiltshires’s Laura Wiltshire, Paolo Merlo
AF Wiltshire are a long established Merlo dealer that has achieved an impressive result in terms of new machine sales in 2022 securing a respectable local market share. Always ready to embrace new technology and products Wiltshires were one of the first UK dealers to operate their own fully electric eWorker demonstrator unit. A focus on customer retention in 2022 has paid off with many customers returning to Wiltshires when the time has come to change their existing Merlo.
Familiar industry figure joins the company as continuous growth is reported.
ISEKI UK & Ireland has reported continuous growth for 2022 having increased their market share and say as a consequence it has been necessary to look at the company's organisation structures.
L-R: Alan Prickett, sales director and Phil Self, regional sales manager
As such they are creating a new position of sales director within the business. The sales managers Phil Self, John Clifford and Andrew Donnachie will report in to this position as will Graham Hooper the commercial manager and their new demonstrator. Additionally the sales director will be directly responsible for export business outside of UK and Ireland, giving more support and focus to dealer partners in these important regions.
David Withers explains further; “Alan Prickett will take up the new position of sales director, reporting to me. A lot of people within the turf industry will know Alan, be aware of his long history within the sector and will no doubt welcome working with him again.
"Phil Self who was focused on the ADDAX and Raymo electric range will now sell all products including ISEKI and will take over Alan’s dealership area covering North Wales, Midlands, East and North England. John and Andrew will continue with their roles but adding responsibility for Raymo and ADDAX to their sales portfolios in their areas.
"We believe that this will strengthen our position, allow for further growth and expansion and look forward to what 2023 brings.”
According to figures released by the AEA, the number of tractors registered in the UK in November was significantly higher than in the same month last year.
According to figures released by the AEA, the number of tractors registered in the UK in November was significantly higher than in the same month last year.
At 728 machines, the monthly total was up by more than a third, compared with November 2021
Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, said, "Although registrations were unusually low a year ago, this year's figure was also 12% higher than the average November figure for the previous five years and was the highest for the time of year since 2017."
The annual total at 10,951 units was still 2% down on the equivalent period last year, said the AEA, but was 4% above the recent average for the first 11 months of the year.
Two new prototype tractors and new autonomy features were unveiled at recent event in Phoenix, Arizona.
New Holland Agriculture unveiled two new prototype tractors (the T7 Methane Power Liquefied Natural Gas and the T4 Electric Power) and new autonomy features at the CNH Industrial Tech Day event, which was held in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 7th and 8th, 2022.
The two-day event was organised by CNH Industrial to demonstrate the progress the company has made in the area of Precision Technology.
T7 Methane Power LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) prototype tractor
The world’s first LNG tractor unveiled at the event is a prototype developed to meet the increasing need for high horsepower machines that combine excellent performance with lower emissions and operating costs.
CNH say with its LNG power solution, New Holland will more than double the autonomy of its current methane products while increasing overall farm sustainability. This is because using liquefied methane delivers four times as much fuel storage capacity when compared to using compressed gas (CNG). This says the manufacturer, greatly increases the tractor’s autonomy, even when performing power intensive applications. With a 270hp model, the T7 Methane Power LNG delivers the same power and torque as the equivalent diesel tractor.
Carlo Lambro, brand president New Holland Agriculture said, “This prototype shows the world that our commitment to sustainability is here to stay. We believe the best solution currently available on the market to lower emissions and costs is natural gas - especially biomethane. Farmers still need powerful tractors, this is why we are offering all the benefits of this solution to our customers on our high horsepower tractors above 200 hp. We also know that autonomy is very important for our customers: we have already improved it in our existing T6 Methane Power tractor, and we have further extended it with the new T7 Methane Power LNG. This premiere complements New Holland’s existing T6 Methane Power and CNH Industrial’s wider alternative power portfolio.”
T4 Electric Power
The second major innovation unveiled at the event was described as the industry’s first all-electric utility tractor prototype with autonomous features, the T4 Electric Power.
This tractor, suitable for lower horsepower operations, marks an important milestone on New Holland’s path to electrification. Carlo Lambro said, “The T4 Electric Power is the result of our extensive research and investment focused on electric solutions in agriculture, supported by CNH Industrial.
"With this new multipurpose tractor, we add an important piece of the puzzle to our full liner strategy, providing our customers with the ideal electric tractor for lower horsepower operations: a highly cost-effective, carbon neutral solution perfectly suited for mixed farms, livestock, municipality, orchard and specialty applications.”
Precision intelligence
The two prototypes presented at the Tech Day were also equipped with the company's latest precision technology features.
The T7 Methane Power LNG inherits the best features from New Holland’s PLM Intelligence suite of solutions. Whilst the T4 Electric Power marks an advance towards autonomous driving with automated features guided by sensors and cameras on the tractor that allow operators to synchronize multiple machines, detect and avoid obstacles, and check the status of processes.
Units will be used by nearby business who provide digital infrastructure work.
Carlisle-based Lloyd Ltd, the authorised Bobcat dealer for northern England and southern Scotland and recent Service Dealer award winner, has won an order for 50 Bobcat E17 mini-excavators for Svella Connect, also based in Carlisle, a provider of critical digital infrastructure, including fibre broadband networks.
As well as the 50 mini-excavators, Svella has also purchased a matching trailer for each machine from Lloyd Ltd. These E17-trailer combinations are being used by Svella to assist them in providing a range of digital support services to local authorities and communications providers, including Virgin Media O2, Openreach and CityFibre.
The E17s will be used by the mobile teams at Svella to help dig trenches in which to lay the cables while the trailers will transport them from site to site.
Lloyd Ltd’s chief executive, Barry Lloyd, said, “It is exciting to be able to work with another local business to deliver the solution they need to support their growing operations. This is the largest single order for Bobcat machines and trailers we have ever had, which shows how significant Svella’s investment is and the extensive scope of the work they will be carrying out across the country.
“We thank them for their business and look forward to continuing to work with them as their operations expand.”
Organisers say the new-look branding rolled out this month is reflective of their new chapter.
Glee, who describe themselves as the international ‘festival’ for the garden, leisure and pet sector, has had a makeover with new branding revealed ahead of the 2023 event (27-29 June, NEC Birmingham).
The new-look branding rolled out this month (December 2022) they say is reflective of their new chapter. Organisers say the bright colour palette, together with icons representative of Glee’s product categories "makes for a rich visual tapestry that paints a fun and fresh picture of the show."
Discussing the new branding, Glee director, Matthew Mein said, “As Glee’s relevancy stretched across the international gardening sector, it became more important than ever that we created a look and feel for the show that could be easily translated. Iconography is an important component of this, as it not only speaks volumes with the use of a single image but, together, the branding can build a visual story that truly showcases the breadth of Glee’s offering and the products represented."
Looking ahead, the 2023 edition of Glee already has 70% of its extended floorplan reserved. Joining the line-up in June will be a new dedicated DIY sector, as well as International Sourcing.
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